Tehran, Dec 21, IRNA - Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani departed to Damascus on Sunday as the first leg of an official visit to three regional states which will take him to Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.
Prior to his departure, he told reporters in Tehran's Mehrabad Airport that the region is in need of security and stability to achieve development and prosperity.
Unfortunately, Larijani added, some powerful states including those in the region are creating unrest in other countries.
During the speaker's regional tour which lasts four days, he is scheduled to meet counterparts and also negotiate with high-ranking officials in Damasucs, Beirut and Baghdad.
We will review ways of expansion of bilateral, regional and international relations, Larijani said.
The speaker added that he is also going to discuss terrorism and the resulting unrest in the region.
Terrorists have created crises and unrests in Iraq and Syira, Larijani said, We hope that in the meetings, we can provide ways on fighting the terrorism.
In Iraq, we will review expansion of bilateral ties including increasing economic and trade exchanges, he added.
The speaker is accompanied by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as a number of lawmakers.